Westerhout 5 is a molecular cloud located in the constellation of Sagittarius. It is known for being a region of active star formation, where new stars are born from the surrounding gas and dust. This cloud is part of a larger complex of star-forming regions in our galaxy. The cloud is named after the Dutch astronomer Herman Westerhout, who studied various astronomical phenomena. Westerhout 5 is particularly interesting to astronomers because it provides insights into the processes of star formation and the conditions that lead to the birth of new stars.